Golf Manitoba Director of Communications Brian Munz and Darren Dreger of TSN spent the day at Golf Manitoba member course Gilbert Plains Country Club.

Dreger discusses how he got into golf, his love of the game, some of his favourite rounds and more.

Jeri Lafleche of Clear Lake Golf Course made an eagle on the par four, 17th hole from 152 yards to secure the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur Championship at Pine Ridge Golf Club.

Carding a final round of three over par 75, Lafleche finished four strokes better than Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member Cala Korman to win this championship for the second straight year.

Marissa Naylor of Niakwa Country Club won the Mid-Amateur Championship by two strokes over Charmaine Hayden of Breezy Bend Country Club.

For the complete Manitoba Blue Cross Women’s leaderboard, click here.

Patrick Perrin of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club won the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship by a single stroke over Shilo Country Club’s Drew Jones.

Both players carded a four over par 76 in the their final round.

Curtis Markusson of St. Charles Country Club earned a two stroke victory over Niakwa’s Todd Fanning to win the Mid-Masters Championship.

For the complete Manitoba Blue Cross Men’s leaderboard, click here.

We appreciate the time and effort of the host club, Pine Ridge Golf Club led by General Manager Jason Ludke, Superintendent Derrick Chlopecki, Head Professional Shane Dick, staff, club members and volunteers for their warm welcome.

Golf Manitoba would like to thank our Official Performance Partners:

adidas Golf Canada – Paige Lawrence, Territory Manager

Manitoba Blue Cross

Taylormade Canada – Eric Johnson Sales & Marketing Territory Manager

New and exclusive Golf Manitoba coverage, presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, is available by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and online at www.golfmb.ca.

Patrick Perrin of Elmhurst Golf & Country Club took centre stage Tuesday during the second round of the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur at Pine Ridge Golf Club.

Perrin made consecutive birdies on the second, third and fourth holes to spark a 35 front then birdied three of the final four holes en route to a 69, giving him a one stroke lead over Shilo Country Club’s Drew Jones entering Wednesday’s final round.

Jones shot a 72 Tuesday.

Todd Fanning of Niakwa Country Club and Curtis Markusson of St. Charles Country Club both shot 72’s and are tied atop of the Mid-Masters Championship leaderboard at 150, three strokes better than Niakwa’s Jay Doyle.

For the complete Manitoba Blue Cross Men’s leaderboard, click here.

For Wednesday’s final round tee times, click here.

Jeri Lafleche of Clear Lake Golf Course has a one stroke lead over Charmaine Hayden of Breezy Bend Country Club in the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur.

Lafleche shot a 77 for a two round 156 total while Hayden carded a 79 to sit at 158.

Hayden leads the Mid-Amateur Championship by five strokes over Niakwa’s Marissa Naylor.

For the complete Manitoba Blue Cross Women’s leaderboard, click here.

For Wednesday’s final round tee times, click here.

On a windy and challenging day at Pine Ridge Golf Club, Ryan Terdik shot a one over par 73 to card the low round on day one of the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur & Women’s Amateur Championships.

Terdik, a Pine Ridge member, opened with a birdies on the first and third holes en route to a one stroke lead over Drew Jones of Shilo Country Club and Southwood Golf & Country Club’s Marshall Cox.

Elmhurst Golf & Country Club’s Scott Mazur and Jack Werhun round out the top five on the Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard at three over par 75.

Cox leads the Mid-Masters Championship by two strokes over Niakwa Country Club’s Jay Doyle and Brad Moore of the host club.

Golf Manitoba would also like to congratulate Daniel King of Breezy Bend Country Club for acing the 16th hole.

For the complete Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard, click here.

For Tuesday’s second round tee times, click here.

Breezy Bend’s Charmaine Hayden and defending champion Jeri Lafleche of Clear Lake Golf Course share the lead in the Women’s Amateur at seven over par 79.

They have a two stroke lead on Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member Crystal Zamzow (Team Manitoba) and Addison Kartusch (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club).

Hayden leads the Mid-Amateur Championship by three strokes over Marissa Naylor of Niakwa Country Club.

For the complete Manitoba Blue Cross leaderboard, click here.

For Tuesday’s second round tee times, click here.

A big week is set for Pine Ridge Golf Club as the 2023 Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur and Women’s Amateur Championships tee off Monday.

82 competitors are in the Men’s Mid-Amateur starting at 7:00am. There will be a new champion as Ryan Sholdice of Breezy Bend Country Club is not taking part.

For the opening round tee times, click here.

For the Diamond Athletic Men’s Mid-Amateur live leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

Defending champion Jeri Lafleche of Clear Lake Golf Club is back to defend her title as one of 26 in the field for the Women’s Amateur.

For the opening round tee times, click here.

For the Diamond Athletic Women’s Amateur live leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

Thailand’s Teerawut Boonseeor shot a one under par 71 Wednesday in his final round to win the Junior Boys Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.

The 14 year old finished the 54 hole event at Teulon Golf & Country Club with a one under 215 total, good for an eight stroke victory over Ryan Orchard (Carman Golf & Curling Club) and Grady Chuback (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club).

For the complete Junior Boys leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

Off to represent Manitoba at the Canadian Junior Boys Championship are Orchard, Chuback and Terence Rafferty (Team Manitoba / Southwood Golf & Country Club).

Crystal Zamzow (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) is the Junior Girls Champion shooting a final round two under par 70, good for a seven stroke victory over Jeri Lafleche (Clear Lake Golf Course).

For the complete Junior Girls leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

Representing Manitoba at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship will be Zamzow, Lafleche and Cala Korman (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Players Club).

Golf Manitoba would like to thank our Official Performance Partners:

adidas Golf Canada – Paige Lawrence, Territory Manager

Manitoba Blue Cross

Taylormade Canada – Eric Johnson Sales & Marketing Territory Manager

We appreciate the time and effort of the host club, Teulon Golf & Country Club led by co-owners Perry and Gary Dola, General Manager Janis Dola, Superintendent Braeden McGowan, their staff, club members and volunteers for their warm welcome.

New and exclusive Golf Manitoba coverage, presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, is available by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and online at www.golfmb.ca.

Crystal Zamzow (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) shot even par 72 in her second round at the Teulon Golf & Country Club in the Junior Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.

Zamzow’s two day total 151 is good for a two stroke lead on first round leader Jeri Lafleche (Clear Lake Golf Course) and Addison Kartusch (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club). Lafleche carded a 79 while Kartusch had a 77.

Zamzow also leads the 17 & 18 Age Group by nine strokes over Cala Korman (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Players Club).

Lafleche and Kartusch share the lead in the 15 & 16 Age Group.

Jewel Lafleche (Clear Lake) is the lone participant in the 13 & 14 Age Group.

For the Junior Girls leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

For Wednesday’s final round tee times, click here.

In the Junior Boys Championship, first round leader Teerawut Boonseeor of Thailand has a three stroke lead on Grady Chuback (Team Manitoba / St. Charles) after carding a 77 today. Chuback shot a 76.

In the 17& 18 Age Group, Chuback has a three stroke lead on Ryan Orchard (Carman Golf & Curling Club).

Terence Rafferty (Team Manitoba / Southwood Golf & Country Club) has a five stroke advantage over Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club) and Jackson Delaurier (Team Manitoba / Dauphin Lake Golf Club) in the 15 & 16 Age Group.

Boonseeor has a 16 stroke cushion on Ty Brewster (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) in the 13 & 14 Age Group.

In the opening round of the 12 and Under Age Group, Owen Conrad (Team Manitoba / St. Charles) has a three stroke on Hunter Oakden (Team Manitoba / Glendale Golf Club).

For the Junior Boys leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

For Wednesday’s final round tee times, click here.

14 year old Teerawut Boonseeor of Thailand shot a five under par 67 Monday at the Teulon Golf & Country Club to open the Junior Boys & Girls Championships presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.

Boonseeor, who had an eagle along with six birdies, has a four stroke lead in the overall Junior Boys event on Grady Chuback (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club).

Chuback’s one under par 71 is good for a two stroke lead over Carson Inman (Team Manitoba / Breezy Bend Country Club) in the 17 & 18 Age Group.

Terence Rafferty (Team Manitoba / Southwood Golf & Country Club) shot a one over par 73 to lead the 15 & 16 Age Group by four strokes over Payne Wood (Team Manitoba / St. Boniface Golf Club) and Jackson Delaurier (Team Manitoba / Dauphin Lake Golf Club).

Boonseeor’s 67 is good for a 14 stroke lead over Ty Brewster (Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) in the 13 & 14 Age Group.

For the Junior Boys leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

For Tuesday’s second round tee times, click here.

In the Junior Girls Championship, Jeri Lafleche (Clear Lake Golf Course) shot a two over par 74, good for a two stroke lead on defending champion Addison Kartusch (Team Manitoba / St. Charles). On a blustery day with winds reaching 40 kilometers an hour, Lafleche carded a steady back nine score of one under par 35 featuring a birdie on the 12th hole along with eight pars.

Crystal Zamzow (Team Manitoba / Golf Manitoba Public Players Club) leads the 17 & 18 Age Group by two strokes over Keira Krahn (Team Manitoba / Carman Golf & Curling Club) opening with a 79.

Lafleche and Kartusch are the top two players in the 15 & 16 Age Group by 13 and 11 strokes respectively ahead of India Young (Team Manitoba / Carman).

Jewel Lafleche (Clear Lake) shot an 84. She is the lone participant in the 13 & 14 Age Group.

For the Junior Girls leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

For Tuesday’s second round tee times, click here.

72 of the top junior golfers are set to tee off this week at the Teulon Golf & Country Club for the 2023 Junior Boys & Girls Championship presented by the Alex & Peggy Colonello Foundation.

There will be a new champion in the field of 50 Junior Boys as two time defending champ Braxton Kuntz (Breezy Bend Country Club) is no longer eligible.

Elmhurst Invitational Junior Boys Division Champion Grady Chuback (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) will be first to tee off Monday morning at 10:00am.

For Junior Boys tee times, click here.

For the Junior Boys leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

Highlighting the field of 11 junior girls are 2022 defending champion Addison Kartusch (Team Manitoba / St. Charles Country Club) and Golf Manitoba Public Players Club member Crystal Zamzow (Team Manitoba). Zamzow, who won this championship in 2020, is also coming off an Elmhurst Invitational Championship in the Junior Girls Division.

For Junior Girls tee times, click here.

For the Junior Girls leaderboard presented by Manitoba Blue Cross, click here.

In recent years, some people have called for municipalities to repurpose city-owned public golf courses for other uses like housing or parks. They believe that golf is a sport exclusive to the affluent and that the land used for municipal golf courses does not cater to a broad or diverse group of residents.

As the national governing body for golf in Canada, we fundamentally disagree and encourage people who hold this view to learn more about the modern realities of our sport. Golf will be played by approximately 6 million Canadians from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds this year. In fact, golf is now the most-played sport in Canada.

Municipal courses provide affordable golf opportunities for people of various ages and economic means. They also serve as community hubs for recreation, events and gatherings that bring together people from all walks of life. In Canada’s major cities, it’s common to see people hopping on public transit or riding their bicycles with golf bags on their back as they head to their local municipal golf course for social time outdoors and away from their screens.

City governments should treat municipal golf courses as community resources that support the health and well-being of residents. Recent research has shown golf is a sport that encourages physical activity, mental well-being, cardiovascular health and muscular strength and flexibility, while also providing safe and fun opportunities for in-person social interaction. Golfers walk between six and eight kilometres over 18 holes, burning up to 2,000 calories.

Municipal golf courses are especially welcoming for kids and offer high-quality youth recreation at an affordable price. For example, an annual junior pass providing access to all five of Toronto’s municipal courses costs $378, with financial aid also available for qualifying families. An annual pass to Cedar Hill Golf Course in Victoria costs $325. Membership at a municipal golf course provides kids with an entire spring, summer and fall’s worth of outdoor activity and in-person social time for a cost that is more affordable than many other activities.

Some junior golfers at municipal courses dream of becoming the next Brooke Henderson or Nick Taylor, while others simply enjoy having fun with their friends. Several municipal golf courses across Canada allow junior golfers to play for only $5 per round through Golf Canada’s Youth on Course program. And other municipal courses also operate First Tee, a program that introduces golf to Canadian youth of all backgrounds and teaches them life skills through the sport. RBC, a major sponsor of professional golf, including the RBC Canadian Open, has also invested significantly in these grassroots programs to help them thrive at municipal courses.

In addition to being affordable, municipal golf courses are highly utilized outdoor green spaces. They are constantly occupied from sunrise to sunset due to golf’s format, which allows for a continuous flow of players. Different than soccer fields and baseball fields, municipal golf courses are used all day by golfers engaging in physical activity, whether it be during early morning tee times or late afternoon rounds. And in winter months, municipal golf courses are used for non-golf outdoor recreational activities of all kinds, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Municipal golf courses are important sources of health and physical activity for a broad cross section of Canadians from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. By prioritizing them, municipalities can demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of their communities, while also providing accessible and affordable opportunities for residents to enjoy the numerous benefits that golf offers. We encourage city governments to think of municipal golf courses just as they do other recreational facilities — as key contributors to healthier, more connected and inclusive communities.

Written by: Kevin Blue, Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer